Essaouira

Essaouira is a beautiful port town. It was one of the ports from which the Moorish pirates attacked the European merchant fleets on their return from the East Indies. Nowadays it's a lively fishing port with a wonderful medina which is closed to cars, thus preserving the traditional atmosphere, which is lively enough without motorised traffic. Though hugely popular with tourists which come there in great numbers, daily activities of the inhabitants dictate the scenery. It is great to sit on a square in the sun ( even in the end of December 18-20 C) and watch the multitudes strolling by in their colourful diversitude.
Inside the medina there are many wonderful pensions and hotels. The ones called "dar" are centred around a cosy courtyard where one can sit next to the fountain with a cup of tea.